Perfectionism Stifles My Creativity

When reading about perfectionism in The Artist’s Way, I easily agree that perfectionism has nothing to do with getting it right. Perfectionism is the refusal to allow yourself to move forward. I can agree with this concept, to an extent, in that I struggle with this in my art and in-turn with my creativity. For years, I have been in a closed system with my art. I know that I have perfected my “Style of Graffiti”, but perfectionism goes further than that. This closed system that I have created in “Pursuit of Perfectionism” leaves me in a place where I refuse to do anything with it. I have conditioned myself to get stuck in my closed ways; not believing my art can go anywhere. The Artist’s Way also describes perfectionism as the pursuit of the “Worst in Ourselves”. This mentality stifles my creativity, and keeps me consumed by one piece of art, to the point of frustration, and/or to the point of not completing it. Even though I know it won’t be easy, I need to let go of my perfectionism and frustrations with myself. I realize that in order to move forward, I need to have fun creating art. Moving away from perfection, will open up a whole new realm of creativity in my Art and new possibilities for me as an Artist.